Richard Crossley wants to share the joy of birding

Richard Crossley, author of field guides and a new Hawk Mountain board member, wants to get more people involved in the sport

Celebrity birder Richard Crossley (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO, THE…)

December 06, 2013|By Kathy Lauer-Williams, Of The Morning Call

When lifelong birder Richard Crossley first saw Hawk Mountain, he was blown away.

"The scenery is so stunning," he says. "I was amazed at the number of visitors they had and the amount of education that goes on. We are so lucky to have such a treasure in our own backyard."

The photographer and author of the popular "Crossley Guide" series came to Hawk Mountain in 2010 to research a guide on raptors. The Berks County wildlife sanctuary is on a major flyway for migratory hawks.

"I had always known about Hawk Mountain because it is very famous globally," Crossley says. "I'm sorry to say it was just three years ago when I was first went there.

"I was really impressed by how much impact Hawk Mountain has on the local community. They do such a remarkable job, and get massive numbers of visitors."

Hawk Mountain attracts an average of 65,000 visitors annually, and operates programs in raptor conservation science, education and training.

Crossley, who lives in Cape May, N.J., recently was elected to a four-year term on the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary board. He will serve on the education committee.

"I know the intention is for me to help them, but I want to learn from them how a successful nature center is run so I can help other places to be half as successful," he says.

Hawk Mountain officials are excited to have the nationally recognized Crossley on the board.

"We're thrilled to have Richard's energy on the board, and excited about his ideas for taking Hawk Mountain education to the next level," says Hawk Mountain President Jerry Regan. "Like him, everyone at Hawk Mountain is interested in getting more young people outside, and connecting them with a conservation message."

Crossly has published three bird ID guides, with a fourth in the works. They've revolutionized field guides by showing birds in visually striking scenes that show them from different views and angles and in natural settings. The images are culled from more than 10,000 of Crossley's photos.

"My books are very different," he says. "I want people to see a complete picture with habitat and environment."

The first book, "The Crossley ID Guide: Eastern Birds" published in 2011, won awards for its unique approach. He followed with "The Crossley ID Guide: Raptors," which was published in March, and includes scenes at Hawk Mountain. He's also published "The Crossley ID Guide: British and Irish Birds" and next plans to release a guide on western waterfowl.

Crossley is co-founder of Pledge to Fledge, a global bird watching initiative to promote bird appreciation and conservation. Its goal is to bring people out to see and enjoy birds for the first time. The program, started two years ago, holds a Pledge to Fledge Campaign in August that challenges birders to introduce someone to the hobby.

Crossley was at Hawk Mountain this year for its Pledge to Fledge event, which encouraged people to take part in counting northbound birds.

"There is massive room for growth in birding compared to Britain," says Crossley, a native of Yorkshire, England. "The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has over a million members and a massive TV presence.

"America has so much to offer that it's important to get more people interested in birding, other animals and the outdoors."

Crossley became hooked on birding at age 7.

"I was just wired that way," he says. "It's also about lifestyles, being outside and appreciating our surroundings. When you care about the environment, you're more likely to take care of it."

In his teens, he hitchhiked more than 100,000 miles to search out different species of birds. He continued to travel in his pursuit of birds, and has visited Asia and lived in Japan.

Then he came to Cape May, whose salt marshes, swamps grasslands and fields are known worldwide as a resting point for thousands of migratory birds.

"I was 21 and I wanted to see America," Crossley says. "I fell in love." He's lived in Cape May since 1991.

He helped start Young Birders Clubs in America. There are now club in 26 states, including a Pennsylvania club based in Philadelphia.

"We're trying to get more young people involved in birding," he says. "It's starting to take off and for me it's one of the most exciting things because they are going to take care of the future."